The onset of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022 marked a notable problem for Ukrainian air defenses. These defenses, each regionally produced and equipped by the West, have been unable to intercept a single Kh-22 cruise missile, based on a assertion by Yuriy Ignat, the spokesperson for the Air Power of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This revelation was reported by the Russian web site, Prime Battle.
Ignat’s declaration basically underscores the inefficiency of native air defenses in repelling ballistic missiles, a level closely emphasised by the Russian media.
Ignat additional elucidated the difficulties confronted, “Given the Kh-22 missile’s functionality to fly at a fast tempo of 4 thousand kilometers per hour and its tendency to observe a primarily ballistic trajectory, particular interceptive measures are required. With the enemy deploying over 300 such missiles, our troubles are removed from over. Furthermore, there’s additionally a modernized model of this missile – the Kh-32. The truth that they’ve been unsuccessful of their makes an attempt thus far is a matter of grave concern,” Ignat affirmed, emphasizing the absence of any profitable interceptions.
Similar in August
The claims made by Russian media are certainly correct. Earlier this 12 months, a quote from Ignat, as reported by Deutsche Welle, corroborated this. “Not a single Kh-22 cruise missile was destroyed. Not as we speak, not at any level,” Ignat confirmed.
He additional elucidates that this missile, regardless of being assumed to have wings, is supersonic. It sometimes cruises alongside a ballistic trajectory at a staggering pace of roughly 4 thousand kilometers per hour. “Therefore, it isn’t attainable to intercept these missiles utilizing typical air protection strategies,” Ignat additional asserted.
Kh-22 within the final 48 hours
The Russian media’s assertions are additional substantiated by the current missile assault carried out on December 28 and 29. Regardless of Ukraine’s air defenses intercepting a vital variety of the missiles launched, no affirmation exists relating to the interception of the eight Kh-22 missiles launched by a Tu-95 bomber.
In line with Ukrainian media outlet Protection Specific, the assault didn’t end result within the downing of the next Russian missiles: “14 S-300/S-400/Iskander-M missiles originating from occupied Crimea, in addition to from the Kursk and Belgorod areas of Russia; 8 cruise missiles Kh-22/Kh-32, launched from Tu-22M3 bombers; 5 Kh-47M2 ‘Dagger’ aeroballistic missiles; 4 Kh-31 missiles; and 1 Kh-59 missile.”
“These missiles current an exceptionally difficult goal. Regrettably, our present stock falls wanting anti-aircraft missile programs able to successfully combating them. The adversary clearly makes use of this benefit, tailoring missile targets primarily based on intelligence findings,” shared the Ukrainian media supply.
Kh-22
MKB Raduga, a agency primarily based within the Soviet Union, created the Kh-22, a giant anti-ship missile with a long-range, additionally identified by the NATO code title AS-4 ‘Kitchen’. Primarily, the missile is designed to fight plane carriers and provider battle teams, and it may be outfitted with both a typical or nuclear warhead. In 2016, the Kh-32, an up to date typical variant of the Kh-22 that includes a higher rocket motor and a novel seeker head, was commissioned.
The Kh-22 is powered by a Tumansky liquid-fuel rocket engine, which makes use of TG-02 [Tonka-250] and IRFNA [inhibited red fuming nitric acid] as gasoline. This energy permits it to succeed in beautiful speeds of as much as Mach 4.6 and journey so far as 600 km [320 nautical miles].
There are two launching modes for the Kh-22: high-altitude and low-altitude. When launched in high-altitude mode, the missile soars to 27,000 m [89,000 ft] earlier than diving at intense pace into its goal, reaching terminal velocities of round Mach 4.6. Conversely, within the low-altitude mode, it climbs to 12,000 m [39,000 ft] and descends at roughly Mach 3.5 in a extra gradual dive. To keep up its path, the missile makes use of each a gyroscope-stabilized autopilot and a radio altimeter.
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